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Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey
May 2013/Iyar 5773
ANNUAL REPORTIncluding a financial summary for academic year ending June 2012
Dear RYNJ Fam
Rabbi Daniel Price Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein
Head of School Director of Religious and Academic Studies
rdprice@rynj.org rsgoldstein@rynj.org
Azi Mandel Rabbi Yehuda Rosenbaum Allen Pfeiffer
President Chairman of the Board Executive Vice President
amandel@rynj.org ryrosenbaum@rynj.org allen.pfeiffer@rynj.org
Dear RYNJ Family,
We are pleased to present you with the 2nd Annual Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey Annual Report for
the academic year ending June 2013. The report reflects the many milestones achieved in our Yeshiva this
year. We invite you to read it and experience the abundance of nachas that we are fortunate to share
at RYNJ.
The report represents a continued effort on the part of our administration and board towards transparency
in our financials. Included is a financial summary reflecting our last audited academic year ending June
2012 as well as key fundraising and budget statistics from our 2012/2013 projections. You will learn how
our finances are allocated and see how we are actively planning today for the continued financial security of
the Yeshiva.
RYNJ is proud to be a leader in the effort to contain the escalating cost of tuition. We are gratified that we
have been able to maintain relatively flat tuition for the past six years. Our goal is to continue to provide
excellence in all aspects of our Yeshiva without increasing tuition obligations for the foreseeable future.
To that end, we are truly grateful for your generous consideration of RYNJ in your tzedakah giving.
We have much to celebrate and our future is bright. As always, if you have any comments, ideas or questions,
please reach out to us. Comments on the annual report may be sent to AnnualReport@rynj.org.
Wishing you a wonderful summer.
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, 666 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge NJ 07661 • 201-986-1414 • www.rynj.org
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Gra
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Letter 1
Table of Contents 2
Mission 3
Beliefs 4
Vision 5
Accomplishments 7
Striving Higher 9
Innovations 11
Financial Summary 17
Hakarat HaTov 24
Board Listing 25
Table of Contents
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Our beautiful 7.8 acre campus includes two buildings,
totaling over 130,000 square feet. Our facility includes
a science lab, music room, 2 gyms, a multipurpose room,
2 computer labs, library, 61 classrooms and 11 auxiliary
instruction rooms. This past summer we expanded our
cafeteria to 4100 square feet in order to accommodate our
growing student body. Our outdoor play area was upgraded
with a new astroturf field for football and soccer and 3 new
basketball courts with fiberglass backboards.
THE RYNJ CAMPUS
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey
is an Orthodox Jewish day school
dedicated to continuing our mesorah by
nurturing the joyful pursuit of a Torah way
of life in an atmosphere that promotes
Torah scholarship and academic excellence.
Our mission is to inspire our children
intellectually, socially and morally to view
themselves as essential and vital assets
of our precious legacy from Sinai.
A Yeshiva with a
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Mission
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• Each child should be imbued with a sense of yirat shamayim and be inspired to make a commitment to careful observance of the Torah.
• Each child should develop a spiritual bond with Eretz Yisrael and a sense of identification with Medinat Yisrael.
• Each student should be inspired to make a commitment to lifelong daily Torah learning and be provided with the Hebrew language and thinking skills required for such endeavors.
• All practices of the school are to be consistent with halacha and when deemed necessary, in consultation with gedolei Torah.
• Judaic Studies are to be taught in the morning by teachers who serve as role models for a Torah way of life.
• Separate classes are to be provided for boys and girls in grades 1-8.
• An appreciation and respect for the Torah leaders of past and present generations should be instilled in each student.
• Each child should value the accomplishments and sacrifices of previous generations.
• Children flourish in a child-centered atmosphere that praises each child’s accomplish-ments and values the talents, uniqueness and varied learning styles of each student.
• All children can learn when they are provided with instructional support to develop their individual talents and address specific needs.
• Educational success involves the integration of cognitive, emotional and social growth and includes the nurturing of creativity.
• Each student should make a commitment to create quality work and strive for excellence. Accordingly, the school should be a model for the students by being committed to continuous self-improvement.
• A healthy professional relationship with open lines of communication between the family and the school plays a central role in the successful education of our children.
• Students should develop their critical thinking skills so that they not only learn to gather and incorporate information, but also to analyze what they learn and apply their knowledge.
• Each child should be inspired to a lifetime love of the pursuit of knowledge.
• The development of fine character and self-esteem is an essential process requiring constant effort and patience, facilitated by the faculty in a caring, safe environment and internalized by the students.
• Students should take responsibility for their actions and develop into good citizens. They should be imbued with an attitude of kavod habriot and strive to perform acts of chesed.
• The school should be deeply committed to focusing its energies (e.g. curriculum development, instructional strategies, assessment practices, professional development, leadership) in support of student achievement of essential knowledge, skills for learning and character refinement.
WE BELIEVE:
MissionO
ur B
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Primacy of Torah
The Yeshiva continually emphasizes that the highest form of human endeavor is
the study of Torah. The beautiful sounds of Torah learning reverberate through-
out the school’s hallways as enthusiastic teachers help children to cultivate the
required skills for a lifetime of Torah study. The worldview created by the study of
Torah directs the future attitudes and endeavors of the student, who learns to see
the world through the prism of Torah.
Academic Excellence
The Yeshiva’s skills based academic program prepares our students to attend a college-
preparatory high school. Each of our students is encouraged to make a commitment
to create quality work and to strive for excellence. Students develop their critical
thinking skills so they not only learn to gather and incorporate knowledge, but also
to analyze what they learn and apply their knowledge. Many of the Yeshiva’s gradu-
ates have been chosen as the valedictorians and salutatorians of their high school
classes. Today, many of our RYNJ alumni are leaders in their professions.
Love for Israel
Love and support for the State of Israel are basic to the philosophy of the Yeshiva,
which believes that our children must grow up feeling a sense of responsibility
toward our brethren in the Holy Land. We are very proud that a large number of
RYNJ families have made aliyah and are now raising their families in Israel. Yom
Yerushalayim and Yom Ha’atzmaut are exciting days in the Yeshiva with carnivals,
parades, Israeli-themed games and educational programs. Our children enthusias-
tically display their love for Israel each year at the Celebrate Israel Parade and have
received many awards for their presentations.
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Each of our
students is
encouraged to
make a
commitment
to create
quality work
and to strive for
excellence
A Yeshiva with aVision
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Teachers Devoted to Teaching Children
Our teachers, though masters at imparting skills and information, do not enter the
classroom to merely teach a subject. They are trained to recognize the unique
abilities, personalities, and needs of each of their students and devote themselves
to the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of each child. Our staff actively seeks
to develop an atmosphere that praises each child’s accomplishments and values
the talents and special qualities of each student. The development of a positive
self-image within each child is among our primary concerns.
Enrichment and Support
In each class, students are challenged with activities that develop their higher level
thinking skills. Special projects stressing creativity, innovation and research
capture the curiosity of students gifted in science, social studies and literature. Children
gifted in math and Talmud have the opportunity to join enrichment classes and
Middle School students with talents in science and math participate in a hands-on
E2K program created by the Israel Arts and Science Academy. RYNJ maintains
a resource room program for children who benefit from small group instruction
focused on specific skill development, enabling classroom success.
The Yeshiva also provides self-contained classes for students who are not yet ready
for a traditional classroom setting. Specially trained teachers utilize varied techniques for
the individual needs of the students. Many children mainstream in part or fully into
regular classrooms. Through the efforts of this Transitional Program, the children
are provided the opportunity to flourish within a yeshiva setting.
Emphasis on Character Development
The Yeshiva’s children are taught that the human personality is the most sacred
and precious trust we possess. The Yeshiva has been recognized by the Chofetz
Chaim Heritage Foundation for its commitment to raising children who are
devoted to treating parents, teachers and peers with respect and recognizing
the spark of the Divine in every individual. The Yeshiva provides many opportunities for
acts of chesed throughout the year. Our curriculum incorporates numerous formal
and informal programs in middot development. The Counseling and Psychological
Services Department presents a Social Skills Development Program from a Torah
perspective. Issues such as sensitivity to others, self-respect and self-esteem and
prevention of bullying are among topics that are emphasized.
Separate Classes and Role Models
The Yeshiva is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is founded
upon the spirit of millennia of Torah study. In accordance with this time-honored
tradition, the school maintains separate classes for boys and girls for both Judaic
and secular studies. A highly positive Jewish environment is created where our
teachers set the tone as magnificent role models for all of our students.
Our staff actively
seeks to develop
an atmosphere that
praises each child’s
accomplishments
and values
the talents and
special qualities of
each student
A highly positive
Jewish environment
is created where
our teachers set the
tone as magnificent
role models for all of
our students
U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School Of Excellence
At an award ceremony in Washington, DC, RYNJ
was recognized as one of a very elite group of
outstanding schools and designated as a
National Blue Ribbon School. From among over
100,000 public and private schools, fewer than
300 are recognized each year. The Council for American Private
Education declared in a letter to RYNJ: “You and your staff,
students, and parents should be proud and pleased that your
efforts to deliver the highest quality education are not only
successful, but are an example to others.”
Torah Umesorah School of the Year
The award recognized that “the Yeshiva provides
an atmosphere where children achieve personal
growth through love and knowledge of their sacred
heritage. RYNJ is truly an inspiring model for
American Torah Education.”
Accredited by the Middle States Association
of Colleges and Schools
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey is
the only Orthodox regular elementary and
middle school in Northern New Jersey that is
accredited by the prestigious Middle States
Association. Middle States Accreditation is only awarded after
a very comprehensive study of the institution by recognized
educational experts that confirms that the school has met 12
standards in such areas as educational programming, adminis-
tration, instructional pedagogy, teaching staff, organizational
design, technology, student life and activities, facilities, health
and safety, and strategic planning. Most importantly, a Middle
States Accredited School has specific plans that include
strategies for anticipated events and goals towards even
higher levels of quality.
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AccomplishmentsA Yeshiva with GREAT
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Torah Bowl Team 22-2 After Last Year’s 24-0 Regular Season
The RYNJ Girls and Boys Torah Bowl Teams have a remarkable record of success,
including several Metropolitan Area Championships. This year, the teams have won
22 of 24 regular season games, as they show their mastery of Sefer Devarim.
Math and Science Competition Success
During the last several years, RYNJ E2K teams have finished in 1st, 2nd and 3rd
place in international competitions in math and science.
Outstanding Achievement On Standardized Testing
Throughout the years, RYNJ students have performed strikingly well on standard-
ized tests. Their average test scores are solidly above national percentiles on the
Stanford Achievement tests in both verbal and math sections. More significantly,
our 8th graders have had outstanding success on the Board of Jewish Education
High School Entrance Examination.
Boys And Girls Basketball Teams Reach Playoffs
The school’s varsity basketball teams are enjoying very successful seasons with the
boys going 8-2, and reaching the semi-finals and the girls going 7-3 and playing in
the finals. While having a winning season makes us very proud, we are prouder yet
of the winning middot our teams display both on and off the court.
Average test scores
are solidly above
national percentiles
on the Stanford
Achievement tests
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Accreditation for Growth
RYNJ is currently completing its Middle States reaccredi-
tation process. Our application requires approximately 12
months of self reflection and reevaluation in all areas,
including academics, philosophy and mission, vision, pedagogy,
discipline, communication, religious values and student life.
Our faculty, administration, lay leaders and members of the
parent body are key, as this self-evaluation is dependent on
their involvement and commitment.
The reaccreditation process leads to school improvement
and student growth. In fact, the protocol that RYNJ is employing
during the 2013 school year is entitled Accreditation for
Growth. This protocol seeks to focus on desired outputs in
student performance. Through a comprehensive self-study, this
rigorous and thorough process analyzes how our students
presently perform and creates a meaningful improvement
plan for the future. Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey is
committed to a future-oriented and visionary process.
We are an educational institution focused on reflection,
analysis, and strategic planning.
A vital part of this process involves including and incor-
porating parent feedback. During the summer of 2011, the
parent body of RYNJ took part in a comprehensive survey
to measure their appraisal of their children’s RYNJ educa-
tion. Almost all survey answers indicated high satisfaction
with academic, Judaic and spiritual education. The responses
served as a basis for the implementation of further educa-
tional initiatives. Most markedly, 94% of the respondents
indicated that they were very satisfied or satisfied with their
decision to enroll their children at RYNJ.
An additional parent survey was sent out in the fall of 2012.
The survey reconfirmed a very high level of pride in the accom-
plishments of the school and the students.
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Striving HigherA Yeshiva always
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Our Parent Body Identified the Following School Strengths
in the May 2012 Survey:
• Religious identity is reflected clearly in the school’s mission, belief
and publications.
• The school’s governance and leadership are good models of religious
belief and values of the school.
• The schools leaders ensure there is an atmosphere of mutual respect
and purposeful effort of behalf of the students and their learning.
• The school’s leadership assures that all school programs and activities
are well planned, supervised, staffed with qualified personnel, and
given appropriate resources.
• The school’s facilities are healthy, safe and well maintained.
• Staff members demonstrate they are committed to the school and
committed to their work.
• The school’s education program reflects an integrated approach
to the children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language
development.
Looking Ahead:
Our self-study has facilitated the identification of the following areas
which we will focus on strengthening.
• Students will demonstrate improvement in the critical thinking,
reasoning and problem solving skills needed to become independent
proactive lifelong learners.
• Students will demonstrate an increased ability to take responsibility
for their role as a member of the RYNJ community as demonstrated by
their personal actions and adherence to moral, ethical and Torah values.
• Students will demonstrate improvement in their technological skills.
The survey
reconfirmed a
very high level
of pride in the
accomplishments
of the school and
the students
Striving Higher
M.O.M. (Middah of the Month)
The Department of Psychological and Counseling Services created and implemented
a school-wide program for focusing on middot and character development. Each
month, a new middah is chosen for the entire student body to focus on developing.
Educational material about the middot are disseminated through weekly “Counseling
Corner” articles, fliers throughout the building as well as classroom presentations.
Parents are encouraged to “catch” their children exhibiting the middot. For example,
after the students were taught the three steps to exercising empathy, parents were
asked to e-mail momprogram@rynj.org, to share when their children demonstrated
empathy for others.
Thirty Nine Avot Melacha Come Alive
Eighth graders are experiencing the forms of work prohibited on Shabbat. Many of
these activities are outside the realm of twenty-first century suburbanites. Through
the presentation of Rabbi Josh Rossman of the Torat Chaim Institute, our students
have had the opportunity to thresh, winnow, make cheese, stomp grapes, spin
thread, and more, thus strengthening their understanding of the Melachot.
Positive Social Interactions and Classroom Readiness
RYNJ has initiated the Second Step Social-Emotional Skills for Early Learning in the
kindergarten and first grades.This program teaches skills to build self-regulation and
social-emotional competence. Children learn and practice vital skills for listening
and paying attention, empathizing, managing emotions, building friendships and
problem solving with others. The enjoyable and effective classroom activities, which
include the fun and engaging use of puppets as well as eye-catching photographs
depicting social skills stories, are described in letters to parents, who are encouraged
to reinforce the social skills at home.
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Children learn
and practice vital
skills for
listening and
paying attention,
empathizing,
managing
emotions, building
friendships and
problem solving
with others
InnovationsA Yeshiva with
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A World of First Class Middot
In partnership with the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, RYNJ
has initiated several exciting middot tovot programs for various grade
levels. Our third and fourth grades participate in the Konei Olam Program,
where they experience the sights and sounds of eight fascinating
countries through stories filled with adventure and important lessons.
In each country, they explore valuable middot and learn how to bring the
middot into their lives in a meaningful way. Each child receives his or her
own passport which is stamped at the end of each visit to reflect the middah
learned and the location visited.
Inculcating the Aleph Bet, Exciting Letter by Exciting Letter
The Pre-K children are engaged in a new hands-on interactive approach
to learning the Hebrew alphabet. Puppets, tangible objects and pictures,
colorful letters, and student-created projects assembled in a photo album
all facilitate the young students’ mastery of the first building blocks of the
language of the Jewish people.
Mitzvah Clowns and Mitzvah Magician Programs
In a unique combination of chesed and fun for the Bar and Bat Mitzvah
age students, the “Mitzvah Clown” Program for the 7th grade girls and the
“Mitzvah Magician” program for the 7th grade boys continues to be a big
hit with the students, staff and the recipients of RYNJ chesed. The Department
of Psychological and Counseling Services has coordinated clowning and
magician training sessions for the 7th graders, and then organized field
trips for the students to implement their newfound skills to provide cheer
for groups of elderly individuals. The bonding between our young people
and the residents was real, deeply appreciated and heart-warming to
watch. The experiences are a win-win for all.
Puppets,
tangible objects
and pictures,
colorful letters, and
student-created
projects assembled
in a photo album
all facilitate the
young students’
mastery of the first
building blocks of
the language of the
Jewish people
Innovations
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Bnei Akiva Creates Bridge Between RYNJ and Eretz Yisrael
Bnei Akiva is presenting captivating programs this year in the RYNJ Beit
Medrash. At a recent program, our middle school students were greeted by
Bnei Akiva representatives at stations representing different time periods in
the history of Yerushalayim: Avraham and Akaidat Yitzchak, the Periods of the
Beit Hamikdash, the Churban, the War of Independence, the Six Day War and
contemporary Yerushalayim.
Prominent Educational Consultants Guide Teachers in
the Implementation of Balanced Literacy Program
Our exciting new reading curriculum, Balanced Literacy, integrates the reading
and writing skills of our students within a very effective structure. The program
emphasizes formative assessment and differential instruction. This year, our
second and third grade students are developing decoding, reading compre-
hension and effective writing skills through a highly impressive methodology.
Two specialized consultants, Elliot Koreman and Barbara Boriotti, are guiding
and mentoring the RYNJ staff on the curricular methodology of this exciting
new program. Mr. Koreman has supervised eight districts in New York City,
served as a school principal in New York City and Westchester County and is
an instructor of Teaching Literacy Methodologies at Stern College. Ms. Boriotti is
a prominent Educational Consultant. Preschool teachers and assistant teachers
have also benefited from the professional development series in Balanced
Literacy. The program is incorporated within and enhancing the Yeshiva’s
Early Childhood Treasures reading series.
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Students are
developing
decoding, reading
comprehension and
effective writing
skills through a
highly impressive
methodology
Ilana Schwartz a”h Memorial Shiur by
Mrs. Chani Juravel Inspires Eighth Graders
The eighth grade banot, classmates of Ilana Schwartz a”h, joined their
mothers for a fascinating lecture by famed educator and speaker, Chani
Juravel. Mrs. Juravel presented tefillah as a means of initiating self
growth during times of happiness, challenges and sadness. Connecting
the students’ knowledge of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov to the emo-
tions and experiences of their lives, she demonstrated the great value of
sincere prayer. The topic selection was motivated by Ilana a”h’s inspiring
devotion to tefillah that characterized her life. This shiur, along with other
illuminating parenting workshops from speakers including Rabbi Yaakov
Horowitz and Dr. David Pelcovitz, is available for viewing on our website.
Destination Estimation
The intuitive understanding of numbers by our preschoolers is being
enhanced by the Estimation Station that greets everyone at the entrance
to the preschool. Since all RYNJ students, teachers, and parents pass the
display, we have all joined in on the estimating fun! This year’s collections
of crayons, fall leaves, flags, dreidels, styrofoam snowballs, Purim masks,
and other seasonal items have been prominently and colorfully displayed
in a plastic case. Preschool students have been challenged to guess the
correct number of each new item.
Middle School Judaic Studies Assessment Initiative
Working with our faculty, the administration created a series of formal
assessment measures in Chumash, Mishna and Gemara. This initiative
will enhance our assessment abilities and allow us to continually create
a more effective curriculum and lessons focused on skill development.
These assessment tools are unique in their scope and sequence and serve
as a model for other schools.
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This initiative
will enhance
our assessment
abilities and
allow us to
continually
create a more
effective
curriculum and
lessons focused
on skill
development
L’havin U’lehaskil Expands to Fourth Grade: RYNJ Serves as National Model
Our new Chumash Curriculum that is revolutionizing the development of
Chumash skills, now extends to fourth grade. The comprehensive, research-
based program developed by educational pioneer, Mrs. Tamar Nussbaum,
incorporates colorful and extensive workbooks for students and intensive
teacher guides. Creative lessons and worksheets are ideal for differential
instruction as they target different modalities and stress varied skills. The
program comes complete with Smartboard ready lessons for each unit,
interactive songs, beautiful charts, posters and flash cards for each student.
Mrs. Nussbaum meets regularly with the RYNJ faculty and incorporates input
from Rabbi Horn and our faculty into new material that is now being used
nationwide in select schools.
Early Childhood Assistant Director
RYNJ is proud to welcome Morah Aviva Vogel as our new Early Childhood
Assistant Director. Morah Aviva has been an educator for the past 11 years
working both as a teacher and curriculum coordinator. Morah Aviva is well-
versed in many preschool and grade school educational programs including:
Writers’ Workshop, Foss Science Module, Everyday Mathematics, DRA (Direc-
tive Reading Assessment), Guided Reading, PAF/Orton Gillingham and Hand-
writing Without Tears and has trained teachers in many of these programs.
As Assistant Preschool Director, Morah Aviva works with preschool teachers
on curriculum development and classroom management. She observes and
mentors teachers as well as monitors student progress and development in
the classroom.
Middle School Ruach
The Middle School Talmidim began the year on a positive note with class
barbeques and then a lively Simchat Bait Hashoeva, setting the tone for
positive spirit throughout the school year. On many Fridays, the rebbeim
and students welcome the coming Shabbat through enjoyable moments of
spontaneous ruach. They are joined by our three YU Kollel members who have
created a special connection with the boys. The ruach was also palpable at the
eighth grade boys Shabbaton and during the wonderful father-son kumsitz
that followed on Motza’ei Shabbat.
The Eighth Grade Girls Shabbaton was a total experience in camaraderie
and singing. The ruach hardly stopped from the moment Shabbat arrived
until Havdalah. The eighth graders’ great enthusiasm was particularly
prominent during Color War as the sixth and seventh grades joined them
in filling their activities with spirited (and sometimes spiritual) singing. This
year, our 6th grade boys and 6th grade girls planned our middle school
orientation for 5th grade boys and 5th grade girls, respectively, showing
leadership and creativity.
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Creative lessons
and worksheets
are ideal for
differential
instruction as
they target
different
modalities
and stress
varied skills
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Developing Sensitivity To Those With Special Needs
The RYNJ Middle School Girls participated in North American Inclusion
Month through a wonderful program conducted by YACHAD, the OU’s
National Council for Disabilities. The program enables the students to
develop a new understanding, greater sensitivity, and increased patience
with those who are challenged by disabilities. The banot were truly inspired as
they listened to Ilana Bravman who spoke through her communication device
and helped everyone understand how we all share the same hopes, dreams
and challenges. Our differences are really minimal from the perspective of a
shared humanity.
The banot participated in fascinating workshops that encouraged them to
perform hands-on activities demonstrating a specific learning challenge.
For example, they experienced fine motor challenges by wearing gloves and
attempting to manipulate items, they took a spelling test presented in “Deaf
Speech,” and they looked through various materials to see how vision can be
restricted. The challenges were fascinating and enlightening.
Tefillah Power; Praying with Fire
RYNJ middle school students receive copies of a wonderful publication,
“Tefillah Power,” a weekly colorful newsletter based on the work of Rabbi
Heshie Kleinman, author of Praying with Fire. Stories and activities bring the
prayers to life. Rabbi Kleinman, an inspirational speaker, recently met with
our Middle School students. Rabbi Kleinman spoke of the precious power of
prayer that we all possess; but all too often fail to tap into. He illustrated his
concepts through stories that related to the lives of the students. The news-
letter and shiur are helping students learn to make a personal connection to
various tefillot as they gain an understanding of the themes, concepts, and
key words of central prayers.
The program
enables the
students to
develop a new
understanding,
greater sensitivity
and increased
patience with those
who are challenged
by disabilities
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Financial SummaryThis report outlines the key financial and operating data for the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of
North Jersey. A summary of the financial results for the 2011/2012 academic year appears
at the end of this report. Our Yeshiva’s financial statements are audited every year by an
independent auditor. The 2011/2012 figures discussed in this section summarize some of
the important metrics contained in those audited financial statements.
Enrollment and Class Sizes
Enrollment for the 2012/2013 academic year stands at 1,049 students in Nursery through
8th grade, an over 3% increase from a total enrollment of 1,015 students in 2011/2012,
representing the highest enrollment in the history of the Yeshiva. We continue to experience
growth in our early childhood program and have enrolled new students into our elementary
school, helping to fill classes without incurring significant additional expenses. We had six
full Kindergarten classes in each of the last seven years leading each year to increased enrollment
in the elementary school. Our classes entering kindergarten and first grade have been larger
than our graduating eighth grade. Our Kindergarten through sixth grades average approximately
110 students.
We remain focused on recruiting and currently project increased enrollment to approximately
1,070 students, a 2% increase for 2013/2014. For the 2013/2014 school year, we will have
11 Preschool classes, 31 Lower School (grades 1 -5) classes, 16 Middle School (grades 6-8)
classes, and 5 classes for our Transitional Program.
Our class size is an average of 18.5 students (less if our Transitional Program is factored into
the average). Our overall ratio of students to professionals (classroom teachers, assistants,
specialty professionals and administrators) is approximately 5:1, allowing us to provide large
school resources in a small school environment. This ratio compares favorably to those
reported by other yeshiva day schools in the area.
We are confident that we can provide the same quality education should enrollment increase
moderately. With the completion of our new building in 2010, we have the capacity to educate a
growing number of students in state-of-the-art facilities in addition to the four Sinai classes
housed at RYNJ. This allows us to spread our fixed costs over a larger tuition base without diminishing
the individual attention provided to students.
Student enrollment at RYNJ
1049 students
492 families
(2012/2013)
430 students
224 families
(1989/1990)
families
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Tuition and Scholarships
Our primary source of income is tuition. Our “net” tuition (tuition income net of financial aid
scholarship awards) was approximately $11.7 million for the 2011/2012 academic year and is
projected to be approximately $12.5 million for the 2012/2013
academic year. Gross tuition revenue was approximately
$13.1 million for the 2010/2011 academic year and is projected to
be approximately $13.7 million for the 2012/2013 academic year.
Tuition has remained flat, at rougly $13,000 on average per student
for the past 6 years, and will not be increased for the 2013/2014
academic year. Accordingly, the increase in gross revenue on a year
over year basis is attributable to increased enrollment. With inflation
fluctuating around 2% for the past few years, our efforts to keep
tuition flat has the impact of effectively lowering tuition costs for
our families each year. Additionally, 2012/2013 tuition included all
trip and incidental fees that had previously been charged to parents separately. This effectively
lowers the cost per student even more.
Need-based financial aid scholarship grants total approximately $1.4 million. That amount
has been relatively consistent in each of the last few years, accounting for approximately 10% of
gross tuition revenue. Approximately 24% of children of RYNJ families received financial aid of
some amount with a financial aid median grant of approximately $4,900 per child. As shown
above, financial aid of $1.4 million was granted through our financial aid scholarship program
and the Yeshiva raised approximately $1.2 million in voluntary contributions. The remaining
$200,000 provided in financial aid had a net impact on total parent tuition-related obliga-
tions of approximately $200 per child.
We remain committed to providing tuition assistance to all families in need. We are confident that
our scholarship process is discreet, compassionate and fair. We are working actively with JEFG and
the other local schools to streamline the process and ensure consistency.
Other Sources of Revenue (not including Building Fund and Building Contributions)
11.5%
88.5%
UJA
General Contributions
NNJ
Scholarship
Journal
Dinner
Scrip
Scholarship Reception ($655K)
Dinner Journal ($217K)
NNJKIDS ($109K)
General Contributions ($181K)
UJA ($31K)
Parent Dinner Obligations ($323K)
Scrip ($192K)
Scholarship ($1.4 million)
Net Tuition ($11.7 million)
Net Tu
ition
Scho
lars
hip
10.4%
89.6%
87%38%
11%
19%
6%
11%
2%
13%
13%
$1.7 million
Other Sources of Revenue ($1.7 million)
Net Tuition ($11.7 million)
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2011
2012
2013
287
Fundraising and Contributions
We rely on donations and fundraisers for a significant portion of our revenue. Over the past
few years, we have increasingly benefitted from the success of our Annual Dinner, our Scholarship
Reception and NNJKIDS. Charitable contributions received in the 2011/2012 academic year
included the scholarship reception which raised a record of $655,000 (and even greater
$710,000 in academic year 2012/2013), the dinner which grossed $540,000 ($323,000
dinner parent obligation and $217,000 in additional dinner journal ad revenue), and other
contributions (such as Parnas Hayom) of $181,000. In addition, we received $109,000 from
NNJKIDS, $31,000 from the UJA Federation and net revenue from our scrip program was
$192,000. In total, our non-tuition based income for the 2011/2012 academic year was over
$1.7 million, $1.2 million of which was voluntary contributions to our annual operating budget.
Total Number of Scholarship Campaign Donors
$499 and below $500-$999 $1,000 and above
Over 1000
Over 500
up to 500
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Over 1000
Over 500
up to 500
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010 21288
21373
22365
21377
18163
18869
19071
14450
14342
Total Scholarship Reception Pledges2012
201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012
$92,000
(2002)
$710,000
(2013)
108
120
Over 1000
Over 500
up to 500
Over 1000
Over 500
up to 500
279136
286
The contribution amounts referenced do not include parent building fund obligations or amounts
donated to offset the building of our facility and capital commitments. In the academic
year 2011/2012, we collected $343,000 from parent building fund obligations and an additional
$220,000 from pledges. In addition, we had interest income and other income related to the building
of $126,000.
While the overall level of contributions is comparable to that of many of our peer schools, we
believe there is still a significant opportunity for us to grow our revenue in this area. We have
begun to expand fundraising efforts beyond our parent body, focusing on cultivating
relationships with alumni, alumni parents, grandparents and community leaders. We are underway
with a strategic effort to build a sustainable “development” program with the goal of raising
fundraising levels for years to come and paying down our debt.
Professional Compensation
Our teachers and professionals are the heart and soul of RYNJ. It is their dedication to academic
excellence and their devotion to our children that make RYNJ one of the leading day schools
in the country. We devote significant resources to attract, retain and properly compensate our
quality faculty and administration. As with most other schools, approximately 88.5% of
the budget, or $11 million, accounts for salaries and all related benefits.
Our total professional compensation has risen slightly as we add new classes to accommodate
higher enrollment, but at a relatively modest increase given the growth in enrollment (an
approximate 2% net increase in payroll with an over 3% growth in enrollment). We continue
to seek ways to reduce our annual budget, but not at the expense of a quality educational
experience for our RYNJ children. We plan to continue to increase the use of technology to
improve educational efficiencies as much as possible where appropriate.
In our recently approved budget for 2013/2014, we continue to include an increased allocation for
teacher training, professional development and continuing education programs. We have also
maintained our pension contribution at 6%, a level comparable to other schools in our area,
while providing for a modest salary increase for our valuable and dedicated staff. We employ
221 total employees (many of whom are part-time employees).
Over the years, as new programs have been introduced and/or additional administrative needs
have arisen, we have asked existing teaching faculty to take on additional responsibilities.
This allows us to keep costs low and provides a growth opportunity for teaching staff who would
like to expand their skills. We have continually benchmarked our staffing and administrative costs
to ensure consistency with other schools of our size and have found our cost structure to be
quite efficient.
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Operating and Other Expenses
Our total expenses for textbooks, educational materials, and supplies were approximately
$525,000. Our facilities expenses, which include the expense of our maintenance staff, repair
and cleaning costs and security, were approximately $443,000. Our utilities expenses were
approximately $268,000. Insurance costs were approximately $128,000 and our special event
programming costs were approximately $40,000. In addition, we have allocated $30,000 to
cover potential bad debt. Adding all these categories, our total additional operating expenses
were approximately $1.4 million, a decline of approximately $200,000 over the
prior year.
Balance Sheet and Mortgage Amortization
The Yeshiva aims to maintain a healthy balance sheet and is well-positioned to meet all of its
financial obligations. Over the past decade, we have maintained a responsible debt level while
dramatically increasing the size and quality of our facilities.
We have received new building commitments in the last few years totaling approximately
$2.1 million. As of the end of June 2012, we had approximately $527,000 of outstanding building
and other pledges.
Delayed Tuition
Dinner and Special Event
Educational Materials/Supplies
Building Maintenance/Security
Insurance
Utilities
Salaries and Bene�ts
Salaries and Benefits (88.5%)
Utilities (2.2%)
Insurance (1.0%)
Building Maintenance and Security (3.5%)
Educational Materials, Supplies and other (4.2%)
Dinner and Special Events (0.3%)
Bad Debts (0.2%)
Operating Expenses
Our net debt balance (bank debt net of unrestricted cash held in bank accounts) at the end of
June 2012 was brought down to approximately $7.1 million. Our goal is to bring our net debt
balance below $6 million before the end of June 2014 through normal mortgage amortization
and additional allocations to pay down principal.
Beyond the mortgage, the Yeshiva maintains a line of credit to cover cash requirements over the
summer or other periods when expenses exceed cash on hand. We have managed our finances
very successfully in recent years and have not found it necessary to use the line of credit.
It currently has a zero balance.
Building/Financing: 2010-11 2011-12
Net Debt, Beginning of Fiscal year $9,099,325 $8,185,037
Fiscal Year Debt Paydown
Interest Income and Building Income 123,973 126,217
Mortgage Principal Payments 397,763 378,343
Building Fund Parent Obligation 347,299 342,539
Additional Building Donations Collected 363,365 219,796
Net Debt Reduction 1,232,400 1,066,895
Net Debt, End of Fiscal Year 7,866,925 7,118,142
Adjustment for interest rate contingent liability and prepaid tuition 318,112 0
Adjusted Net Debt, End of Fiscal Year $8,185,037 $7,118,142
Summary and Outlook
Overall, as a result of increased enrollment, the success of our fundraising programs and other
non-tuition income, we have been able to balance our budget and maintain relatively flat
tuition for the last six years with some tuition decreases in select programs, despite increases
in our operating expenses. Our goal is to continue to ensure we provide excellence in all aspects
of our Yeshiva without increasing tuition obligations for the foreseeable future. To meet this
goal, we will need to continue to look for ways to control our expenses, bring our fundraising to
a higher level and attract students consistent with our enrollment targets.
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PLEASE HELP US ACHIEVE OUR GOALS by considering RYNJ in
your tzedakah giving. Contributions of any amount are welcomed
and encouraged.
FOR INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE BUILDING DEDICATIONS,
please contact Laizer Kornwasser at laizerk@yahoo.com
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12 Month Operating Income and Expenses for the School Year Ending June 30, 2012
Operating Revenue: 2010-11 2011-12
Tuition Obligations $12,934,535 $13,067,082
Less Financial Aid Scholarships - 1,339,941 -1,359,329
Net Tuition Income 11,594,594 11,707,753
Parent Tuition Obligations
Parent Dinner Obligations 319,675 323,400
Scrip Sales 194,861 191,708
Total Parent Tuition Obligations 12,109,130 12,222,861
Annual Fundraising
Scholarship Fundraising 513,877 655,472
Additional Dinner Journal and Chinese Auction 226,746 216,519
General Contributions 103,853 180,537
NNJKids 129,253 108,821
UJA Federation 28,980 31,150
Total Annual Fundraising 1,002,709 1,192,499
Total Annual Operating Revenues $13,111,839 $13,415,360
Operating Expenses:
Salaries and Benefits $10,780,534 $11,043,521
Other Expenses
Educational Materials, Supplies and Other 445,451 525,078
Building Maintenance and Security 424,218 442,775
Utilities 299,348 268,469
Insurance 131,029 127,943
Dinner and Special Event Expenses 45,496 40,473
Provisions for bad debt* 300,000 30,062
Total Other Expenses 1,645,542 1,434,800
Subtotal/Pre Mortgage Expense Obligations 12,426,076 12,478,321
Mortgage Interest 288,000 468,663
Required Mortgage Principal 236,000 321,335
Total Annual Operating Expenses 12,950,076 13,268,319
Additional Mortgage Principal 161,763 57,008
Capital Expenditures N/A 90,033
Total Uses of Revenue $13,111,839 $13,415,360
* Provision for bad debts was a significantly higher expense during the 2010-2011 period (on a non-recurring basis) due to the adoption of
accrual based accounting.
Thank You!
Thank you to our generous 2011/12 donors.
Listed are the categories of those who have
voluntarily contributed to RYNJ in academic
year 2011/12, including the Annual Dinner,
Scholarship Reception, program sponsorships,
general donations and building commitments.
Thank you for including RYNJ
in your charitable giving this year.
Greater than $50,000
3 families
$25,000 to $50,000
8 families
$10,000 to $25,000
22 families
$5,000 to $10,000
32 families
$1,000 to $5,000
117 families
$500 to $1,000
82 families
$100 to $500
272 families
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Hakarat HaTovA Yeshiva expressing
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, 666 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge NJ 07661
201-986-1414 • www.rynj.org
President
Azi Mandel
Chairman of the Board
Rabbi Yehuda Rosenbaum*
Executive Vice President
Allen Pfeiffer*
Vice President, Finance
Jonathan Silver
Vice President, Administrative
Rachelle Mandelbaum
Vice President, Development
Mordy Rothberg
Laizer Kornwasser
Vice President, Communications
Dr. Michael Wiederkehr
Treasurer
Jonathan Neiss
Secretary
Adina Wiener
*Past President
Board of Governors
David Carmel
Jack Eizikovitz
Jackie Feigenbaum*
Phil Heimowitz*
Dr. Arthur Kook
Jeffrey Mayer*
Henry Orlinsky
Elliot Small
Yitz Stern
Dr. Stanley Waintraub
Eli Weber*
Hillel Weinberger
Harvey Wrubel
Trustees
Dr. Saul Lejtman
Adeena Mayerfeld
Glenn Pfeiffer
Nomi Rotblat
Yossie Rubin
Menachem Schechter
Barry Sklar
Honorary Trustees
Rabbi Abe Kramer
Hy Nutkis
Milton Polevoy
Dr. Belle Rosenbaum
Anne Senter
Bernard Struhl A”H
Board of Directors
Bryan Alter
Jonathan Baron
Judah Eizikovitz
Carl Guzman
Shira Isenberg
Uri Jacobs
Dr. Shimmy Kanarek
Dr. Philip Kazlow
Rabbi Howard Komendant
Yoni Lieber
Donny Rosenberg
Naomi Schiff
Moshe Skoczylas
Rachel Wertentheil
PTA Presidium
Miriam Warburg
Becky Neugroschl
Head of School
Rabbi Daniel Price
Director of Religious
and Academic Studies
Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein
Principal, Judaic Studies
Rabbi Dr. Harvey Horn
Principal, General Studies
Arlene Libman
Associate Principal
Rabbi David Kaminetsky
Associate Principal,
General Studies
Ann Robbins
Early Childhood Director
Fran Mermelstein
Early Childhood Assistant Director
Aviva Vogel
Director of Special Services
Helen Adler
Director of Transitional Program
Barbara Goldstein
Mashgicha Ruchanit
Cindy Zucker
Business Director, Controller
Sandra Steinberg
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